Consistent portable sensor placement

ABSTRACT

A method for consistently mounting a removable sensor to a machine is provided. The method includes recording, by camera, an image including a sensor placed on a target. The sensor includes a first plane marked with a first color that is perpendicular to a first sensor axis representing a positive axis direction. The method also includes determining, by accelerometer, an image orientation concurrently with the recording. The method further includes identifying the sensor within the image. The method additionally includes determining, using the identified first color, a sensor orientation within the image relative to the image orientation. The sensor orientation includes the positive axis direction. The method also includes comparing the sensor orientation to a reference orientation. The method further includes determining the sensor orientation matches the reference orientation and recording a target measurement in response. The method also includes outputting, by GUI, confirmation of that the measurement was recorded.

BACKGROUND

Some environments, such as industrial environments, can employ machinerythat includes moving components (e.g., rotating components,reciprocating components, etc.). Under some circumstances, movingcomponents can result in vibration of the machinery. When vibrations areunintentional, they can lead to machine damage over time, such as wear.It can be desirable to monitor vibrations of a machine in order toassess the condition or health of the machine in order to identifyvibration-related problems that are developing. In some cases, vibrationmonitoring can predict problems before they arise. In either case,vibration monitoring can facilitate prevention of vibration-relateddamage and/or performance of maintenance to correct vibration-relateddamage prior to breakdown.

Vibration monitoring can include collecting measurements from a sensormounted to the machine. The sensor can be designed to detect movement ofone or more components relative to the sensor and can transmitinformation characterizing detected movements to other electronics, suchas a computer processor, for analysis.

Under some circumstances, vibration sensors can be mounted to a machinein a temporary fashion. As an example, some machines can requirevibration monitoring on an infrequent basis. Because a permanentlyinstalled vibration sensor could be underutilized under thiscircumstance, it can be desirable to use a portable vibration sensorthat is temporarily attached to different machines. However, it can bedifficult to consistently position a portable sensor on a machine,especially when different individuals are positioning the portablesensor over the lifetime of the machine. Positioning the sensor can havean impact on the reading from the sensor, and inconsistent positioningcan be falsely attributed to machinery vibration changes.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are provided for consistently mounting a removablesensor to one or more monitored machines in an operating environment,such as an industrial environment. Consistently mounting a sensor on amachine can include placing the sensor substantially in the samelocation on a machine in substantially the same orientation. A removablesensor can be removably mounted on a machine. Removably mounting asensor on a machine can include temporarily mounting the sensor on themachine, collecting a measurement from the sensor, and unmounting thesensor from the machine. The location the sensor is mounted on themachine, or sensing location, can have an effect on the accuracy of thesensor reading. For example, an inch variation in sensing locationbetween respective sensor readings can lead to noticeable differences inrespective measurements collected from the sensor. These differences canresult from inconsistent placement of the sensor on the machine.However, they can be incorrectly attributed to changes in the machine'scondition. And since the sensor can be removably mounted, it can becumbersome to reliably mount a sensor in the same sensing location whenrepeating a measurement at a later time, or when mounted by differentpersonnel.

A sensor placement system can guide a user through sensor measurementcollection from the monitored machines. The monitored machines can beincluded in route navigated by the user. The route navigated by the usercan include one or more machines monitored by an asset monitoring systemand from which sensor measurement collection can be desirable. At eachmachine, the user can removably mount the sensor at specified sensinglocations on the machine. At each sensing location on the machine, thesensor can be placed in one or more sensing orientations. A sensingorientation can include a position and direction of the sensor relativeto the machine. By ensuring correct sensor placement on each machinefrom which sensor measurement collection can be desired, sensormeasurement accuracy can be increased and improved asset monitoringsystems can be realized.

In an embodiment, a method for consistently mounting a removable sensorto one or more machines is provided. The method can include recording,using a camera, a first image at a first resolution that includes afirst sensor placed on a target. The method can also includedetermining, using an accelerometer, an orientation of the first imageconcurrently with the recording of the first image, wherein theorientation of the first image is associated with an orientation of thefirst sensor placed on the target within the first image. The method canfurther include receiving, via a graphical user interface (GUI), a userinput indicating a boundary surrounding the first sensor in a portion ofthe first image. The method can additionally include comparing theorientation of the first sensor within the first image with apredetermined reference orientation. The method can also includedetermining whether the orientation of the first sensor within the firstimage matches the predetermined reference orientation. The method canfurther include storing, in a memory in response to determining that theorientation of the first sensor matches the predetermined referenceorientation, a first sub-image derived from the first image, a secondsub-image derived from the first image, and the orientation of the firstsensor, wherein the first sub-image includes the portion of the firstimage surrounded by the boundary at the first resolution, wherein thesecond sub-image is the first image at a second resolution less than thefirst resolution. The method can additionally include outputting, viathe GUI, a confirmation that the orientation of the first sensor withinthe first image matches the predetermined reference orientation.

In another embodiment, the method can include displaying, by the GUI, aboundary that provisionally identifies the sensor within the firstimage. The boundary can be generated automatically (e.g., based upon amachine analysis of the first image). After displaying the boundary, theGUI can further display a prompt requesting the user to confirm whetherthe sensor is present within the image.

In another embodiment, the method can include receiving, from thememory, the first sub-image, the second sub-image, and the orientationof the first sensor. The method can also include recording, using thecamera, a second image, the second image including a second sensorplaced on the target. The method can further include comparing thesecond image to the first sub-image and the second sub-image. The methodcan additionally include determining whether the second image matchesthe first sub-image and the second sub-image. The method can alsoinclude determining, in response to determining that the second imagematches the first sub-image and the second sub-image, that anorientation of the second sensor matches the orientation of the firstsensor. The method can further include outputting, via the graphicaluser interface, a confirmation that the orientation of the second sensormatches the orientation of the first sensor.

In another embodiment, the method can include recording, using thesecond sensor, a measurement of the target and storing, in the memory,the recorded measurement.

In another embodiment, the method can include identifying a portion ofthe second image including the second sensor, comparing the identifiedportion of the second image with the first sub-image, and determiningthat the identified portion of the second image matches the firstsub-image.

In another embodiment, the method can include displaying, via thegraphical user interface, a prompt for the user to record the firstimage including the first sensor placed on the target in response todetermining that the orientation of the first image does not match thepredetermined reference orientation.

In another embodiment, the method can include, prior to the recordingoperation, receiving, via a radio frequency identification reader, aunique identifier of the target from a radio frequency identificationtag corresponding to the target. The method can also include receiving,from the memory, the predetermined reference orientation associated withthe unique identifier. The method can further include determining thatthe first image is not present in the memory. The method canadditionally include outputting, via the GUI, a prompt to record thefirst image in response to determining that the first image is notpresent in the memory.

In another embodiment, the method can include identifying, using waveletanalysis, mean-squared error, and scale-invariant feature transforms,the first sensor in the first image.

In an embodiment, a system for consistently mounting a removable sensorto one or more machines is provided and can include at least one dataprocessor and a memory. The memory can store instructions which, whenexecuted by the at least one data processor, can perform operations. Theoperations can include recording, using a camera, a first image at afirst resolution, where the first image can include a first sensorplaced on a target. The operations can also include determining, usingan accelerometer, an orientation of the first image concurrently withthe recording of the first image. The orientation of the first image canbe associated with an orientation of the first sensor placed on thetarget within the first image. The operations can further includereceiving, via a graphical user interface (GUI), a user input indicatinga boundary surrounding the first sensor in a portion of the first image.The operations can additionally include comparing the orientation of thefirst sensor within the first image with a predetermined referenceorientation. The operations can also include determining whether theorientation of the first sensor within the first image matches thepredetermined reference orientation. The operations can further includestoring, in a memory in response to determining whether the orientationof the first sensor matches the predetermined reference orientation, afirst sub-image derived from the first image, a second sub-image derivedfrom the first image, and the orientation of the first sensor. The firstsub-image can be the portion of the first image surrounded by theboundary at the first resolution and the second sub-image can be thefirst image at a second resolution. The second resolution can be lessthan the first resolution. The operations can additionally includeoutputting, via the GUI, a confirmation that the orientation of thefirst sensor within the first image matches the predetermined referenceorientation.

In another embodiment, the operations performed by the at least one dataprocessor can further include receiving, from the memory, the firstsub-image, the second sub-image, and the orientation of the firstsensor. The operations can also include recording, using the camera, asecond image, where the second image includes a second sensor placed onthe target. The operations can further include comparing the secondimage to the first sub-image and the second sub-image. The operationscan additionally include determining whether that the second imagematches the first sub-image and the second sub-image. The operations canalso include determining, in response to determining that the secondimage matches the first sub-image and the second sub-image, that anorientation of the second sensor matches the orientation of the firstsensor. The operations can further include outputting, via the GUI, aconfirmation that the orientation of the second sensor matches theorientation of the first sensor.

In another embodiment, the operations performed by the at least one dataprocessor can include further recording, using the second sensor, ameasurement of the target and storing, in the memory, the recordedmeasurement.

In another embodiment, the operations performed by the at least one dataprocessor can include identifying a portion of the second imageincluding the second sensor, comparing the identified portion of thesecond image with the first sub-image, and determining that theidentified portion of the second image matches the first sub-image.

In another embodiment, the operations performed by the at least one dataprocessor can include displaying, via the GUI, a prompt for the user tore-record the first image including the first sensor placed on thetarget in response to determining that the orientation of the firstsensor within the first image does not match the predetermined referenceorientation

In another embodiment, the operations performed by the at least one dataprocessor can include, prior to the recording operation, receiving, viaa radio frequency identification reader, a unique identifier of thetarget from a radio frequency identification tag corresponding to thetarget. The operations can also include receiving, from the memory, thepredetermined reference orientation associated with the uniqueidentifier. The operations can further include determining that thefirst image is to present in the memory. The operations can additionallyinclude outputting, via the GUI, a prompt to record the first image inresponse to determining that the first image is not present in thememory.

In another embodiment, the operations performed by the at least one dataprocessor can include identifying, using wavelet analysis, the firstsensor in the first image.

In an embodiment, a non-transitory computer program product forconsistently mounting a removable sensor to one or more machines isprovided and can store instructions. The instructions, when executed byat least one data processor of at least one computing system, canimplement operations including recording, using a camera, a first imageat a first resolution that includes a first sensor placed on a target.The operations can also include determining, using an accelerometer, anorientation of the first image concurrently with the recording of thefirst image. The orientation of the first image can be associated withan orientation of the first sensor placed on the target within the firstimage. The operations can further include receiving, via a graphicaluser interface (GUI), a user input indicating a boundary surrounding thefirst sensor in a portion of the first image. The operations canadditionally include comparing the orientation of the first sensorwithin the first image with a predetermined reference orientation. Theoperations can also include determining whether the orientation of thefirst sensor within the first image matches the predetermined referenceorientation. The operations can further include storing, in a memory inresponse to determining that the orientation of the first sensor matchesthe predetermined reference orientation, a first sub-image derived fromthe image, a second sub-image derived from the image, and theorientation of the first sensor. The first sub-image can include theportion of the first image surrounded by the boundary at the firstresolution and the second sub-image can be the first image at a secondresolution. The second resolution can be less than the first resolution.The operations can additionally include outputting, via the GUI, aconfirmation that the orientation of the first sensor within the firstimage matches the predetermined reference orientation.

In another embodiment, the operations can include receiving, from thememory, the first sub-image, the second sub-image, and the orientationof the first sensor. The operations can also include recording, usingthe camera, a second image, the second image including a second sensorplaced on the target. The operations can further include comparing thesecond image to the first sub-image and the second sub-image. Theoperations can additionally include determining whether the second imagematches the first sub-image and the second sub-image. The operations canalso include determining, in response to determining that the secondimage matches the first sub-image and the second sub-image, that anorientation of the second sensor matches the orientation of the firstsensor. The operations can further include outputting, via the GUI, aconfirmation that the orientation of the second sensor matches theorientation of the first sensor.

In another embodiment, the operations can include recording, using thesecond sensor, a measurement of the target and storing, in the memory,the recorded measurement.

In another embodiment, the operations can include identifying a portionof the second image including the second sensor, comparing theidentified portion of the second image with the first sub-image anddetermining that the identified portion of the second image matches thefirst sub-image.

In another embodiment, the operations can include displaying, via theGUI, a prompt for the user to record the first image including the firstsensor placed on the target in response determining that the orientationof the first image does not match the predetermined referenceorientation.

In another embodiment, the operations can include receiving, via a radiofrequency identification reader, a unique identifier of the target froma radio frequency identification tag corresponding to the target. Theoperations can also include receiving, from the memory, thepredetermined reference orientation associated with the uniqueidentifier. The operations can further include determining that thefirst image is not present in the memory. The operations canadditionally include outputting, via the GUI, a prompt to record thefirst image in response to determining that the first image is notpresent in the memory.

In another embodiment, the operations can include identifying, usingwavelet analysis, the first sensor in the first image.

In an embodiment, a method for consistently mounting a removable sensorto one or more machines is provided. The method can include recording,using a camera, an image that includes a sensor placed on a target, thesensor including a first plane marked with a first color, wherein thefirst plane is perpendicular to a first axis of the sensor andrepresents a positive direction of the first axis. The method can alsoinclude determining, using an accelerometer, an orientation of the imageconcurrently with the recording of the image. The method can furtherinclude identifying the sensor within the image. The method canadditionally include determining, using the first color of the sensoridentified within the image, an orientation of the sensor within theimage relative to the orientation of the image, wherein the orientationof the sensor includes the positive direction of the first axis. Themethod can also include comparing the orientation of the sensor withinthe image to a predetermined reference orientation. The method canfurther include determining that the orientation of the sensor withinthe image matches the predetermined reference orientation. The methodcan additionally include recording, in response to determining that theorientation of the sensor within the image matches the predeterminedreference orientation and using the sensor, a measurement of the target.The method can also include outputting, via a graphical user interface(GUI), a confirmation that the measurement was recorded.

In another embodiment, the method can include marking the first plane ofthe sensor with the first color.

In another embodiment, the sensor can include a rectangularly-packedtriaxial accelerometer sensor or a cylindrically-packaged triaxialaccelerometer sensor.

In another embodiment, the first color can include red, green, or blue.

In another embodiment, the identifying the sensor in the image canfurther include using wavelet analysis.

In another embodiment, the first color can be referenced against a knownconfiguration of the sensor defining a correspondence between the firstcolor and the positive direction of the first axis.

In another embodiment, the predetermined reference orientation can beassociated with a target radio frequency identification. The method canalso include capturing, by a radio frequency identification reader, thetarget radio frequency identification. The method can further includereceiving, in response to capturing the target radio frequencyidentification and from a memory, the predetermined referenceorientation associated with the target radio frequency identification.

In an embodiment, a system for consistently mounting a removable sensorto one or more machines is provided and can include at least one dataprocessor and a memory. The memory can store instructions which, whenexecuted by the at least one data processor, can perform operationsincluding recording, using a camera, an image that includes a sensorplaced on a target, the sensor including a first plane marked with afirst color, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to a first axis ofthe sensor and represents a positive direction of the first axis. Theoperations can also include determining, using an accelerometer, anorientation of the image concurrently with the recording of the image.The operations can further include identifying the sensor within theimage. The operations can additionally include determining, using thefirst color of the sensor identified within the image, an orientation ofthe sensor within the image relative to the orientation of the image,wherein the orientation of the sensor includes the positive direction ofthe first axis. The operations can also include comparing theorientation of the sensor within the image to a predetermined referenceorientation. The operations can further include determining that theorientation of the sensor within the image matches the predeterminedreference orientation. The operations can additionally includerecording, in response to determining that the orientation of the sensorwithin the image matches the predetermined reference orientation andusing the sensor, a measurement of the target. The operations can alsoinclude outputting, via a graphical user interface (GUI), a confirmationthat the measurement was recorded.

In another embodiment, the operations can include marking the firstplane of the sensor with the first color.

In another embodiment, the sensor can include a rectangularly-packedtriaxial accelerometer sensor or a cylindrically-packaged triaxialaccelerometer sensor.

In another embodiment, the first color can include red, green, or blue.

In another embodiment, the identifying the sensor in the image canfurther include using wavelet analysis.

In another embodiment, the first color can be referenced against a knownconfiguration of the sensor defining a correspondence between the firstcolor and the positive direction of the first axis.

In another embodiment, the predetermined reference orientation can beassociated with a target radio frequency identification. The operationscan also include capturing, by a radio frequency identification reader,the target radio frequency identification. The operations can furtherinclude receiving, in response to capturing the target radio frequencyidentification and from a memory, the predetermined referenceorientation associated with the target radio frequency identification.

In an embodiment, a non-transitory computer program product forconsistently mounting a removable sensor to one or more machines isprovided and can store instructions. The instructions, when executed byat least one data processor of at least one computing system, canimplement operations including recording, using a camera, an image thatincludes a sensor placed on a target, the sensor including a first planemarked with a first color, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to afirst axis of the sensor and represents a positive direction of thefirst axis. The operations can also include determining, using anaccelerometer, an orientation of the image concurrently with therecording of the image. The operations can further include identifyingthe sensor within the image. The operations can additionally includedetermining, using the first color of the sensor identified within theimage, an orientation of the sensor within the image relative to theorientation of the image, wherein the orientation of the sensor includesthe positive direction of the first axis. The operations can alsoinclude comparing the orientation of the sensor within the image to apredetermined reference orientation. The operations can further includedetermining that the orientation of the sensor within the image matchesthe predetermined reference orientation. The operations can additionallyinclude recording, in response to determining that the orientation ofthe sensor within the image matches the predetermined referenceorientation and using the sensor, a measurement of the target. Theoperations can also include outputting, via a graphical user interface(GUI), a confirmation that the measurement was recorded.

In another embodiment, the operations can include marking the firstplane of the sensor with the first color.

In another embodiment, the sensor can include a rectangularly-packedtriaxial accelerometer sensor or a cylindrically-packaged triaxialaccelerometer sensor.

In another embodiment, the first color can include red, green, or blue.

In another embodiment, the identifying the sensor in the image canfurther include using wavelet analysis.

In another embodiment, the first color can be referenced against a knownconfiguration of the sensor defining a correspondence between the firstcolor and the positive direction of the first axis.

In another embodiment, the predetermined reference orientation can beassociated with a target radio frequency identification. The operationscan also include capturing, by a radio frequency identification reader,the target radio frequency identification. The operations can furtherinclude receiving, in response to capturing the target radio frequencyidentification and from a memory, the predetermined referenceorientation associated with the target radio frequency identification.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features will be more readily understood from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment ofan operating environment including machines monitored using portablesensors and a sensor placement system configured for placement ofsensors on the monitored machines;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment ofthe sensor placement system of FIG. 1 including a portable datacollector and a mobile device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating operation of the mobiledevice 150;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of an imageincluding a sensor on a target;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a markedrectangular triaxial accelerometer;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a markedcylindrical triaxial accelerometer;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of amethod for determining an orientation of a sensor; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of amethod for determining an orientation of a sensor.

It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawingsare intended to depict only typical aspects of the subject matterdisclosed herein, and therefore should not be considered as limiting thescope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of systems and corresponding methods for consistentlymounting a sensor to a machine for monitoring are discussed herein.Embodiments of the sensors are discussed below in the context ofvibration monitoring. However, embodiments of the disclosure can beemployed with any type of portable sensor to perform any type ofmonitoring without limit.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment ofan operating environment 100 including one or more target machines 102(e.g., target 102A, target 102B, etc.) that can be monitored to evaluatemachine performance and/or prevent machine failure. As discussed ingreater detail below, monitoring can include temporarily mounting aportable sensor 130 at one or more sensing position of each of thetargets 102 and recording measurements acquired by the sensor 130.

It can be desirable to consistently position (e.g., mount) the portablesensor 130 at one or more sensing positions (e.g., 104A, 104B, 108A,108B) of target machine 102. Positioning can include the location atwhich the portable sensor 130 is placed on the target 102. If theportable sensor 130 is not positioned in the correct location on atarget 102, the portable sensor 130 may fail to acquire measurementsfrom the desired portion(s) of the target 102.

Positioning can also include the orientation of the portable sensor 130with respect to the target 102 at the sensing position. As an example,embodiments of the portable sensor 130 can include one or more sensor ormeasurement axes. For a portable sensor 130 in the form of a vibrationsensor, the sensor axes can be the directions in which the portablesensor 130 measures motion. If one or more of the sensor axes are notaligned correctly with respect to the target 102 when positioned at thesensing position, error can be introduced into measurements acquired byportable sensor 130. By placing the portable sensor 130 consistently atthe same sensing position and sensing orientation with respect to eachtarget 102 along the route 110, measurement accuracy can be increased.

A sensor placement system 120 can be employed by the operator (e.g.,user 160) to facilitate consistent placement of the portable sensor 130at the sensing location(s) of each target 102.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sensor placement system120 in greater detail. The sensor placement system 120 can be configuredto facilitate the consistent placement of the portable sensor 130 alongthe route 110 including one or more target 102. As shown, the sensorplacement system 120 includes the sensor 130, a portable data collector140, and a mobile computing device 150. By using sensor placement system120 including portable data collector 130 and mobile computing device150 can facilitate consistent mounting of the portable sensor 130 on oneor more targets 102 along route 110, with attendant improvements inaccuracy and reliability of measurements acquired by the portable sensor130.

The portable sensor 130 can include, in some embodiments, single axisand multi-axis (e.g., triaxial) sensors. Examples of such sensors caninclude proximity sensors, acoustic sensors, accelerometers, velocitysensors, etc. For instance, when the portable sensor 130 is a vibrationsensor mounted to the target 102, the portable sensor 130 can beconfigured to output signals representing vibration measurements, suchas overall vibration level (e.g., peak-to-peak amplitude,root-mean-squared (RMS) amplitude, impact crest fall, amplitudedemodulation, etc.) As further discussed below with reference to FIG. 5,embodiments of the portable sensor 130 can include a rectangularlypackaged triaxial sensor. As additionally discussed below with referenceto FIG. 6, other embodiments of the portable sensor 130 can include acylindrically packaged triaxial accelerometer.

The portable data collector 140 can include a processor 210, a memory215, and a transceiver 220. In some embodiments, the portable datacollector 140 can include Bently Nevada™ SCOUT 100 and 200 and vb seriesportable vibration analyzer instruments (e.g., 100, 140, 220 and 240series data collectors). In some embodiments, the portable datacollector 140 can be intrinsically safe. Intrinsic safety can include aprotection technique for safe operation of electrical equipment inhazardous areas. In some embodiments, the electrical and thermal energyof the equipment can be limited to prevent the equipment from becoming asource of ignition.

The mobile device 150 can include a display 230, a global positioningsystem (GPS) 235, a camera 240, a processor 245, an accelerometer 250, amemory 255, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) 260, and atransceiver 265. In some embodiments, the mobile device 150 can includean industrial smart phone handheld device. In some embodiments, mobiledevice 150 can be configured to collect vibration data, take pictures,send and receive text messages, send and receive emails, make phonecalls, and run other mobile applications.

The portable sensor 130 can be communicatively coupled to the portabledata collector 140. The portable data collector 140 can becommunicatively coupled to the mobile computing device 150. For example,communicatively coupling two elements can include wired and/or wirelesscommunication. Examples of wired communication can include Ethernet.Examples of wireless communication can include communication via awireless protocol such as a Bluetooth protocol, cellular protocol, IEEE802.11b/g/n/ac direct sequence (Wi-Fi) protocol, near fieldcommunication (NFC) protocol, a radio frequency identification (RFID)protocol, and/or the like. The mobile device 150 can be operated by auser 160, such as a technician, and can facilitate the consistentplacement of the sensor 130 on target 102. By using the mobile computingdevice 150 and the portable data collector 140 to consistently mount theportable sensor 130 on a target 102 along the route 110, sensormeasurement accuracy can be increased.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system 300 employing the mobilecomputing device 150. In some embodiments, the system 300 can beconfigured to guide a user 160, such as a technician, through the route110 of targets 102. The system 300 can include a positioning system 310,a graphical user interface (GUI) 340, and one or more storage devices350. The system 300 can facilitate reproducible mounting of the portablesensor 130 in sensing orientations 323 at sensing locations 321 ontarget 102. By utilizing the system 300, the accuracy of collectedsensor measurements can be increased, image processing can be improved,and better asset monitoring can be realized.

The positioning system 310 can include a route subsystem 320 and animage processing subsystem 330. The route system 320 can becommunicatively coupled to the image processing system 330, the GUI 340,the camera 240, and the one or more storage devices 350. The routesystem 320 can be configured to transmit and receive data characterizingthe route 110 and data characterizing interaction of the user 160 withthe GUI 340, as described below. For example, the route system 320 cantransmit measurement point configuration 313.

The measurement point configuration 313 can include, for a givenlocation 321 on a target 102 along route 110, a desired orientation 323for mounting the portable sensor 130. The measurement pointconfiguration 313 can also include a placement image 333. The placementimage 333 can include a picture of the portable sensor 130 mounted ontarget 102 at a given location 321 and in a respective orientation 323.The measurement point configuration 313, including the placement image333 and corresponding target 102, location 321, and orientation 323information can be stored in storage 350.

The image processing system 330 can be configured to identify theportable sensor 130 in an image recorded by the camera 240 at a firstresolution (e.g., 3.3 Megapixels, 5 Megapixels, 6 Megapixels, 12.5Megapixels, 32 Megapixels, and/or the like). In one embodiment, theimage processing system 330 can be configured to identify the portablesensor 130 in response to input received from the user 160 via the GUI340 indicating a boundary surrounding the sensor 130 within the recordedimage. As an example, the GUI 340 can be a touch-sensitive display andthe boundary can be input by the user 160 via the touch-sensitivedisplay (e.g., by drawing the boundary). In an another embodiment, theboundary can be automatically determined (e.g., based upon a machineanalysis of the recorded image).

In a further embodiment, the image processing system 330 can beconfigured to make a provisional determination whether the sensor 130 ispresent within the recorded image and, if so, whether the orientation ofthe sensor 130 is correct using object detection techniques. Theprovisional determination can be subsequently accepted by the user 160.

In some embodiments, the object detection technique includes waveletanalysis. In general, a wavelet analysis can include a discrete wavelettransform that decomposes the recorded image into multiple levels, witheach level including details from a respective frequency in thefrequency domain that can correspond to edges in the recorded image.Thus, rather than employing the raw pixels of the recorded image, thewavelet analysis can determine edges from the recorded image andconstruct representative objects for the items in the recorded imagebased upon these edges (e.g., contiguous edges). Thus, if present withinthe recorded image, the wavelet analysis can determine a boundary (e.g.,edges) of the sensor 130.

Once the representative objects have been identified in the recordedimage, the shape of each of the representative objects can be comparedto the shape of the sensor 130 within a reference image of the portablesensor 130 using means-squared error analysis and feature detectionerror minimization (e.g., scale invariant feature transformation). Inthis manner, the image processing system 330 can provisionally detectthe presence or absence of the sensor 130 within the recorded image.

In addition to the shape of the sensor 130, t the reference image canalso illustrate a desired orientation desired for the portable sensor130. Under circumstances where the portable sensor 130 is provisionallydetected within the recorded image, the image processing system 330 canfurther make a provisional determination whether the orientation of thesensor 130 within the recorded image matches the desired orientation. Asan example, the relative orientations of one or more reference features(e.g., a longitudinal axis) of the reference image can be compared to acorresponding feature of the recorded image.

Subsequently, the user 160 can be presented with one or more prompts viathe GUI. As an example, the user 160 can be presented with a promptrequesting confirmation that a provisional determination of the presenceor absence of the sensor 130 within the recorded image is correct. Undercircumstances where the user 160 confirms that the sensor 130 is presentwithin the recorded image, the user 160 can be presented with a furtherprompt requesting confirmation of the provisional orientation of thesensor 130 matches that of the reference image. If so, the

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an one exemplary embodiment of an image410 generated by the image processing system 330 from the recorded imagein accordance with some embodiments of the current subject matter. Asnoted above, the recorded image can be captured by the camera 240 at afirst resolution and it can include the portable sensor 130 coupled tothe target 102. Image 410 can include a first subimage 440 and a secondsubimage 460. The first subimage 440 can include a portion of therecorded image at the first resolution surrounded by the boundary 450discussed above (e.g., determined by the user 160 or automatically bythe image processing system 330. Thus, the first subimage 440 caninclude the portable sensor 130 and contextual information illustratingthe location on the target 102 and the orientation of the portablesensor 130 when mounted on the target 102.

The second subimage 460 can include at least a portion of the recordedimage outside of the boundary 450 at a second resolution that is lessthan the first resolution. The second subimage 460 can be generated bycompressing the image 410 using image compression techniques such asrun-length encoding, area image compression, entropy encoding, chaincodes, transform coding (e.g., using the discrete cosine transform,and/or the like), and/or the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of arectangularly packed triaxial sensor 500. A triaxial sensor, such as therectangularly packed triaxial sensor 500, can provide, for example,sensor measurements along three orthogonal axes. Sensor 500 can includea first axis 520, a second axis 540, and a third axis 560. The triaxialsensor 500 can include a housing 518 with an external surface that isconfigured to protect the internal components, such as internalelectrical components, from damage during operation. Respective surfacesof the housing 518 can be marked with colors and/or patternscorresponding to respective measurement axes (e.g., normal surfaces). Asshown, at least a portion of a first surface 502 normal to the firstaxis 520 can be marked with a first color 510, at least a portion of asecond surface 504 normal to the second axis 540 is marked with a secondcolor 530, and at least a portion of a third surface 506 can be markedwith a third color 550. The marking can be provided by painting thesurface, powder coating the surface, and/or the like.

In addition to designating respective axes 520, 540, and 560, markingson the housing 518 such as colors and/or patterns can also be employedto indicate positive and negative directions of the axes 520, 540, 560.As an example, positive directions can extend in the direction of thearrowheads of axes 520, 540, 560, while negative directions can extendin the opposite direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the positive direction ofthe first axis 520 extends through the first surface 502, the positivedirection of the second axis 540 extends through the second surface 504,and the positive direction of the third axis 560 extends through thethird surface 506. The marking of the positive direction can berespective colors while the marking in the negative direction can be apredetermined pattern. The marking can include any combination of colorsand/or patterns without limit.

The triaxial sensor 500 can acquire measurements independently from thefirst axis 520, the second axis 540, and the third axis 560 relative tothe target 102. The measurements collected from the triaxial sensor 500can be sensitive to the orientation of the first axis 520, the secondaxis 540, and the third axis 560. As will be described below, themarkings on the triaxial sensor 500 (e.g., first color 510, second color530, third color 550, first pattern, second pattern, third pattern,and/or the like) can be used by image processing system 330 to determinesensing orientation 450 of sensor 500. For example, markings (e.g.,first color 510, second color 530, third color 550, first pattern,second pattern, third pattern, and/or the like) can include a minimumthreshold value and a maximum threshold value. For example, markings caninclude red, green, blue, and/or the like. The color red can be definedin a red green blue (RGB) color space as (255, 0, 0). Similarly, greencan be defined as (0, 255, 0) and blue can be defined as (0, 0, 255). Assuch, the first color can include red, green, or blue. For example,first color 510 can include a minimum threshold value of (235, 0, 0) anda maximum threshold value (255, 0, 0). Alternative color spaces are alsoenvisioned (e.g., CMYK, CIE, luma plus chroma, cylindricaltransformations, etc.)

Regardless of the color space employed, when an identified pixel colorvalue for a selected pixel is determined to be within the range ofthreshold values associated with the first color, the selected pixel canbe determined to be within a region corresponding with the first color.As such, that region can be associated with a direction of first axis520 and/or a respective axis of sensor 500 corresponding to a respectivecolor. Similarly, second color 530, third color 550, and/or the like canbe identified.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of acylindrically packed triaxial sensor 600. A triaxial sensor, such ascylindrically packed triaxial sensor 600, can provide, for example,sensor measurements along three orthogonal axes. Similar to therectangularly packaged triaxial sensor 500, cylindrically packedtriaxial sensor 600 can include first axis of orientation 620, secondaxis of orientation 640, and third axis of orientation 660. Sensor 600can include a housing 618. The housing 618 can include an externalsurface and can facilitate protecting the internal components, such aselectrical components, from damage. The external surface can include afirst portion 602 of the external surface marked with first color 610, asecond portion 604 of the external surface marked with second color 630,and a third portion 606 of the external surface marked with third color650.

A positive direction of the first axis 620 (e.g., a first direction) canextend through the center of the triaxial sensor 600 and the portion ofthe external surface marked with the first color 610. In someembodiments, a negative direction of the first axis 620 (e.g., a seconddirection) can extend through the center 608 of sensor 600 and theportion of the external surface marked with a first pattern. In someembodiments, a positive direction of the second axis 640 (e.g., a thirddirection) can extend through the center of the triaxial sensor 600 andthe portion of the external surface marked with the second color 630. Insome embodiments, a negative direction of the second axis 640 (e.g., afourth direction) can extend through the center of the triaxial sensor600 and a portion of the external surface marked with the second color630. In some embodiments, a positive direction of the third axis 660(e.g., a fifth direction) can extend through the center of the triaxialsensor 600 and a portion of the external surface marked with the thirdcolor 650. In some embodiments, a negative direction of the third axis660 (e.g., a sixth direction) can extend through the center of sensorthe triaxial 600 and through a portion of the external surface markedwith the third color 650.

Measurements from the triaxial sensor 600 can be collected independentlyfrom the first axis 620, the second axis 640, and the third axis 660.The measurements collected from the triaxial sensor 600 can be sensitiveto orientation of the first axis 620, the second axis 640, and the thirdaxis 660. As discussed above, the markings on the triaxial sensor 600(e.g., first color 610, second color 630, third color 650, firstpattern, second pattern, third pattern, and/or the like) can be used byimage processing system 330 to determine sensing orientation 450 ofsensor 600. For example, markings (e.g., first color 610, second color630, third color 650, first pattern, second pattern, third pattern,and/or the like) can include a minimum threshold value and a maximumthreshold value represented in a selected color space. When anidentified pixel color value for a selected pixel is determined to bewithin the range of threshold values associated with the first color,the selected pixel can be determined to be within a region correspondingwith the first color. As such, that region can be associated with adirection of a respective axis of sensor 600.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram 700 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of amethod 700 for determining an orientation of a sensor placed on atarget. By utilizing the method 700, accuracy and reproducibility of theportable sensor 130 placement on each target 102 along the route 110 ofmachines monitored by the asset monitoring system can be achieved.

At 710 an image can be recorded at a first resolution using a camera.The image can include a sensor placed on a target. The first resolutioncan include an image resolution with a sufficient number of pixels todetail the placement of the sensor on the image. At 720, an orientationof the image can be determined using an accelerometer. The orientationof the image can be determined concurrently with the recording of theimage, such as, by recording the orientation of the mobile device whenthe image was recorded and associating the orientation of the devicewith the orientation of the image. For example, the image can berecorded while the device is in a landscape orientation (e.g., ahorizontal orientation of the mobile device such that mobile device canbe wider than it is tall), a portrait orientation (e.g., a verticalorientation of the mobile device such that the mobile device can betaller than it is wide), and/or the like. If the mobile device is in alandscape orientation while the image is being recorded, than alandscape orientation can be associated with the image. Similarly, anyorientation of the mobile device determined by the accelerometer can beassociated with the image as the orientation of the image.

With the orientation of the image determined, relative direction in theimage can be ascertained. For example, directions such as up or rightcan be established and associated with the orientation of the sensor. Assuch, the orientation of the image can be associated with theorientation of the sensor placed on the target. As another example, ifthe mobile device captured the image while in a portrait orientation andthe image is displayed within a display space of the GUI in a portraitorientation, the up direction of the image can substantially correspondwith the up direction of the mobile device and the right direction cansubstantially correspond with the right direction of mobile device. If,however, the mobile device captured the image while in a portraitorientation and the image is displayed in a landscape orientation (e.g.,orientation of the mobile device when rotated 90 degreescounter-clockwise relative to orientation of mobile device when theimage was recorded captured), then the up direction of the image cansubstantially correspond with the left direction of the mobile deviceand the right direction of the image can substantially correspond withthe up direction of mobile device.

At 730, a user input can be received via a graphical user interface. Theuser input can indicate a boundary surrounding the sensor in a portionof the image. For example, the user input can include pressing thedisplay of the mobile device at a portion of the image substantiallyproximal to the location of the sensor within the image. In response tothe user indicating the location of the sensor, a boundary can bedisplayed in the GUI overlaid upon the image and in the location of theimage substantially corresponding to the portion of the image indicatedby the user. The boundary surrounding the sensor can surround a portionof the target adjacent to the sensor where the sensor is mounted to thetarget. In some embodiments, the sensor can be identified in the portionof the image surrounded by the boundary. As described above, objectdetection techniques, such as wavelet analysis, can be used to detectthe sensor within the image. For example, the sensor can be detected bydetecting features from the image of the sensor (e.g., silver,cylindrical, black cabling, and/or the like) matching features to a bestcandidate match (e.g., with minimum distance, such as Euclideandistance, from a given feature descriptor vector in an n-dimensionalfeature vector space and/or the like), verifying identified candidatesusing an error estimation (e.g., linear least squares and/or the like),and removing outliers.

At 740, the orientation of the sensor within the image can be comparedwith a predetermined reference orientation. The predetermined referenceorientation can define (e.g., determine) the desired orientation of thesensor when placed on the target. For example, the predeterminedreference orientation can specify that the sensor should be placed in avertical orientation when mounted to the target. At 750, the orientationof the sensor within the image can be determined to match thepredetermined reference orientation. For example, if the predeterminedreference orientation indicates that the sensor should be mounted on thetarget in a vertical orientation and the orientation of the sensorwithin the image is a vertical orientation, then the orientation of thesensor within the image can be determined to match the predeterminedreference orientation.

In some embodiments, the predetermined reference orientation can beassociated with a unique identifier of the target. As an example, theunique identifier can be stored by a radiofrequency identificationdevice (RFID) associated with the target. An RFID tag associated withthe target can be an RFID tag that is positioned on or adjacent to thetarget.

When the RFID device is queried by an RFID reader (e.g., an RFID readerincorporated within the mobile device 150), the unique identifier can bereturned. With the unique identifier received by the mobile device 150,the predetermined reference orientation associated with the target canbe retrieved. As an example, the predetermined reference orientationassociated with the target can be retrieved by the mobile device 150from a memory maintained by the mobile device 150 and/or a memoryaccessible to the mobile device 150 via a communication network.

While retrieval of the predetermined reference orientation is discussedabove with regards to an RFID tag, other mechanisms for retrieval can beemployed without limit. As an example, a barcode can be associated withthe target (e.g., positioned on or adjacent to the target) and a barcodereader (e.g., incorporated within the mobile device) can be employed toread the barcode. The barcode can include the unique identifier. Oncethe unique identifier is received by the mobile device, thepredetermined reference orientation associated with the target can beretrieved by the mobile device 150 from a memory maintained by themobile device 150 and/or a memory accessible to the mobile device 150via a communication network.

At 760, a first sub-image derived from the image, a second sub-imagederived from the image, and an orientation of the sensor can be storedin response to determining that the orientation of the sensor matchesthe predetermined reference orientation. The first sub-image can includethe portion of the image surrounded by the boundary. The first sub-imagecan be stored at the first resolution. The second sub-image can includethe image at a second resolution less than the first resolution. Forexample, the second sub-image can be generated by compressing the imagefrom the first resolution to the second resolution. At 770, aconfirmation that the orientation of the sensor within the image matchesthe predetermined reference orientation can be output via the GUI. Insome embodiments, a measurement of the target can be recorded by thesensor in response to the orientation of the sensor within the imagematching the predetermined reference orientation and the measurement canbe stored in memory. A confirmation that the measurement was recordedcan be output via the GUI.

In some embodiments, the first sub-image, the second-sub image, and theorientation of the sensor within the image can be stored in memory to beused in the future as the predetermined reference orientation. During afuture execution of the asset monitoring route, a similar operation canbe performed to ensure that the sensor is mounted consistently with pastplacements. For example, a second image can be recorded using thecamera. The second image can include a second sensor placed on thetarget. The second image can be compared to the first sub-image and thesecond sub-image. The second image can be determined to match the firstsub-image and the second sub-image. In response to determining that thesecond image matches the first sub-image and the second sub-image (e.g.,the orientation of the sensor within the second image matches thepredetermined reference orientation now defined by the first sub-image,second sub-image, and orientation of the sensor received from memory),the orientation of the second sensor can be determined to match theorientation of the sensor.

In some cases, a portion of the second image including the second sensorcan be identified and the identified portion of the second image can becompared with the first sub-image. The orientation of the second sensorcan be determined to match the orientation of the sensor when theidentified portion of the second image matches the first sub-image. Aconfirmation that the orientation of that the second sensor matches theorientation of the sensor. In some embodiments, a measurement of thetarget can be recorded by the second sensor in response to theorientation of the second sensor matching the orientation of the sensorand a confirmation that the measurement was recorded can be output viathe GUI. In some cases, the user can be prompted to record the image ofthe sensor placed on the target. For example, in response to theorientation of the image not matching the orientation of thepredetermined reference orientation, the user can be prompted to adjustthe placement of the sensor on the target and record a new image.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram 800 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of amethod for determining an orientation of a sensor placed on a target. Byutilizing the method illustrated in 800, less computation resources canbe the orientation of sensor 130 placed on target 102 can be determinedreproducibility of sensor 130 placement on each target 102 along route110 of machines monitored by the asset monitoring system can beachieved. By reproducing sensor 130 placement on each target 102, theaccuracy of sensor 130 measurements collected from each target 102 canbe improved. And improving the accuracy of the collected sensor 130measurements can result in an improved asset monitoring system.

At 810, an image can be recorded using a camera. The image can include asensor placed on a target. The sensor can include a first plane markedwith a first color. The first plane can be perpendicular to a first axisof the sensor and can represent a positive direction of the first axis.The first color can include red, green, blue, combinations thereof,and/or the like. It can be noted that other color spaces (e.g., cyanmagenta yellow key (CMYK), ADOBE RGB, luminance/chroma (Y′UV), huesaturation lightness (HSL), hue saturation value (HSV), and/or the like)can be utilized. In some embodiments, In some embodiments, the firstplane can correspond to a plane in three-dimensional Euclidean space. Insome embodiments, the first plane can correspond to a curved surface inthree-dimensional Euclidean space (e.g., the surface of a cylinder). Andother surface topologies are contemplated.

At 820, an orientation of the image can be determined using anaccelerometer. The orientation of the image can be determinedconcurrently with the recording of the image, such as described abovewith reference to step 720 of FIG. 7. At 830, the sensor can beidentified within the image. As discussed above, object detectiontechniques, such as wavelet analysis, can be used to detect the sensorwithin the image.

At 840, an orientation of the sensor within the image relative to theorientation of the image can be determined using the first color of thesensor identified within the image. The orientation of the sensor caninclude the positive direction of the first axis. As described abovewith reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the first color can include aminimum threshold value and a maximum threshold value. The first colorcan be identified within the image by, for example, identifying pixelswithin the image including the first color (e.g., pixel values betweenthe minimum threshold value and the maximum threshold value) and can beused to determine the direction of the first axis within the image.Consequently, the orientation of the sensor within the image (e.g.,oriented based on the direction of the first axis) can be determinedrelative to the orientation of the image.

At 850, the orientation of the sensor within the image can be comparedto the predetermined reference orientation, such as described above withreference to step 740 of FIG. 7. At 860, the orientation of the sensorwithin the image can be determined to match the predetermined referenceorientation, such as described above with reference to step 750 of FIG.7. At 870, a measurement of the target can be recorded using the sensor.The measurement can be recorded in response to determining that theorientation of the sensor within the image matches the predeterminedreference orientation. At 880, a confirmation that the measurement wasrecorded can be output via a GUI.

In certain embodiments, prior to recording the image, a check can beperformed to determine whether the image is present in a memory. Undercircumstances where the image is not present in the memory, the user canbe presented with a prompt (e.g., via the GUI) to record the image.

Exemplary technical effects of the methods, systems, and devicesdescribed herein include, by way of non-limiting example, sensorplacement systems assembled from mobile devices, portable datacollectors, and sensors to consistently mount sensors on monitoredmachines. Sensor placement on machines can be documented for future use,and the documentation can be utilized to consistently mount the sensors.Avoiding inconsistency in measurements as a result of varying sensorplacement can provide for more accurate sensor measurements recordedwhile monitoring the condition of the machines. More accurate sensormeasurements can provide for improved asset monitoring. In some cases,this can include improved machine performance and/or reduction ofunsatisfactory machine performance. In addition, storage space utilizedto document sensor placement can be reduced. Reducing storage space,including reduced placement image file size, can provide for a fasterand more efficient asset monitoring system.

Certain exemplary embodiments have been described to provide an overallunderstanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture,and use of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments have been illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that thesystems, devices, and methods specifically described herein andillustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplaryembodiments and that the scope of the present invention is definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of theembodiments generally have similar features, and thus within aparticular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is notnecessarily fully elaborated upon.

The subject matter described herein can be implemented in analogelectronic circuitry, digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computersoftware, firmware, or hardware, including the structural meansdisclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof, orin combinations of them. The subject matter described herein can beimplemented as one or more computer program products, such as one ormore computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier(e.g., in a machine-readable storage device), or embodied in apropagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of,data processing apparatus (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer,or multiple computers). A computer program (also known as a program,software, software application, or code) can be written in any form ofprogramming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, andit can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or asa module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in acomputing environment. A computer program does not necessarilycorrespond to a file. A program can be stored in a portion of a filethat holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to theprogram in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files thatstore one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code). Acomputer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or onmultiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification, includingthe method steps of the subject matter described herein, can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions of the subject matter describedherein by operating on input data and generating output. The processesand logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus of the subjectmatter described herein can be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application-specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processor of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carrierssuitable for embodying computer program instructions and data includeall forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices); magnetic disks, (e.g., internal hard disks or removabledisks); magneto-optical disks; and optical disks (e.g., CD and DVDdisks). The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, orincorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter describedherein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., aCRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, fordisplaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device,(e.g., a mouse or a trackball), by which the user can provide input tothe computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to theuser can be any form of sensory feedback, (e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback), and input from the user can bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The techniques described herein can be implemented using one or moremodules. As used herein, the term “module” refers to computing software,firmware, hardware, and/or various combinations thereof. At a minimum,however, modules are not to be interpreted as software that is notimplemented on hardware, firmware, or recorded on a non-transitoryprocessor readable recordable storage medium (i.e., modules are notsoftware per se). Indeed “module” is to be interpreted to always includeat least some physical, non-transitory hardware such as a part of aprocessor or computer. Two different modules can share the same physicalhardware (e.g., two different modules can use the same processor andnetwork interface). The modules described herein can be combined,integrated, separated, and/or duplicated to support variousapplications. Also, a function described herein as being performed at aparticular module can be performed at one or more other modules and/orby one or more other devices instead of or in addition to the functionperformed at the particular module. Further, the modules can beimplemented across multiple devices and/or other components local orremote to one another. Additionally, the modules can be moved from onedevice and added to another device, and/or can be included in bothdevices.

The subject matter described herein can be implemented in a computingsystem that includes a back-end component (e.g., a data server), amiddleware component (e.g., an application server), or a front-endcomponent (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface ora web browser through which a user can interact with an embodiment ofthe subject matter described herein), or any combination of suchback-end, middleware, and front-end components. The components of thesystem can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communicationnetworks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network(“WAN”), e.g., the Internet.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification andclaims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation thatcould permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basicfunction to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a termor terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are notto be limited to the precise value specified. In at least someinstances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision ofan instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout thespecification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/orinterchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-rangescontained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantagesof the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly,the present application is not to be limited by what has beenparticularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appendedclaims. All publications and references cited herein are expresslyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: recording, using a camera,an image that includes a sensor placed on a target, the sensor includinga first plane marked with a first color, wherein the first plane isperpendicular to a first axis of the sensor and represents a positivedirection of the first axis; determining, using an accelerometer, anorientation of the image concurrently with the recording of the image;identifying the sensor within the image; determining, using the firstcolor of the sensor identified within the image, an orientation of thesensor within the image relative to the orientation of the image,wherein the orientation of the sensor includes the positive direction ofthe first axis; comparing the orientation of the sensor within the imageto a predetermined reference orientation; determining that theorientation of the sensor within the image matches the predeterminedreference orientation; recording, in response to determining that theorientation of the sensor within the image matches the predeterminedreference orientation and using the sensor, a measurement of the target;and outputting, via a graphical user interface (GUI), a confirmationthat the measurement was recorded.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising marking the first plane of the sensor with the first color.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes arectangularly-packed triaxial accelerometer sensor or acylindrically-packaged triaxial accelerometer sensor.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first color is red, green, or blue.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the identifying the sensor in the image comprises awavelet analysis.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first color isreferenced against a known configuration of the sensor defining acorrespondence between the first color and the positive direction of thefirst axis.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the predeterminedreference orientation is associated with a target radio frequencyidentification, the method further comprising: capturing, by a radiofrequency identification reader, the target radio frequencyidentification; and receiving, from a memory in response to capturingthe target radio frequency identification, the predetermined referenceorientation associated with the target radio frequency identification.8. A system comprising: at least one data processor; memory storinginstructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor,causes the at least one data processor to perform operations comprising:recording, using a camera, an image that includes a sensor placed on atarget, the sensor including a first plane marked with a first color,wherein the first plane is perpendicular to a first axis of the sensorand represents a positive direction of the first axis; determining,using an accelerometer, an orientation of the image concurrently withthe recording of the image; identifying the sensor within the image;determining, using the first color of the sensor identified within theimage, an orientation of the sensor within the image relative to theorientation of the image, wherein the orientation of the sensor includesthe positive direction of the first axis; comparing the orientation ofthe sensor within the image to a predetermined reference orientation;determining that the orientation of the sensor within the image matchesthe predetermined reference orientation; recording, in response todetermining that the orientation of the sensor within the image matchesthe predetermined reference orientation and using the sensor, ameasurement of the target; and outputting, via a graphical userinterface (GUI), a confirmation that the measurement was recorded. 9.The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further include markingthe first plane of the sensor with the first color.
 10. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the sensor includes a rectangularly-packed triaxialaccelerometer sensor or a cylindrically-packaged triaxial accelerometersensor.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first color is red,green, or blue.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the identifying thesensor in the image further comprises a wavelet analysis.
 13. The systemof claim 8, wherein the first color is referenced against a knownconfiguration of the sensor defining a correspondence between the firstcolor and the positive direction of the first axis.
 14. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the predetermined reference orientation is associatedwith a target radio frequency identification, the operations furthercomprising: capturing, by a radio frequency identification reader, thetarget radio frequency identification; and receiving, in response tocapturing the target radio frequency identification and from a memory,the predetermined reference orientation associated with the target radiofrequency identification.
 15. A non-transitory computer program productstoring instructions, which when executed by at least one data processorof at least one computing system, implement operations comprising:recording, using a camera, an image that includes a sensor placed on atarget, the sensor including a first plane marked with a first color,wherein the first plane is perpendicular to a first axis of the sensorand represents a positive direction of the first axis; determining,using an accelerometer, an orientation of the image concurrently withthe recording of the image; identifying the sensor within the image;determining, using the first color of the sensor identified within theimage, an orientation of the sensor within the image relative to theorientation of the image, wherein the orientation of the sensor includesthe positive direction of the first axis; comparing the orientation ofthe sensor within the image to a predetermined reference orientation;determining that the orientation of the sensor within the image matchesthe predetermined reference orientation; recording, in response todetermining that the orientation of the sensor within the image matchesthe predetermined reference orientation and using the sensor, ameasurement of the target; and outputting, via a graphical userinterface (GUI), a confirmation that the measurement was recorded. 16.The non-transitory computer program product of claim 15, wherein theoperations further comprise marking the first plane of the sensor withthe first color.
 17. The non-transitory computer program product ofclaim 15, wherein the sensor includes a rectangularly-packed triaxialaccelerometer sensor or a cylindrically-packaged triaxial accelerometersensor.
 18. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 15,wherein the first color is red, green, or blue.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer program product of claim 15, wherein the identifying the sensorin the image further includes using wavelet analysis.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer program product of claim 15, wherein the firstcolor is referenced against a known configuration of the sensor defininga correspondence between the first color and the positive direction ofthe first axis.